MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to grant a P200 daily wage increase to minimum wage earners in the private sector.

With 171 lawmakers voting in favor, one against, and no abstentions, House Bill (HB) No. 11376, or the proposed “Wage Hike For Minimum Wage Workers Act,” hurdled the plenary in a bid to alleviate the financial burden of low-income workers amid rising living costs.

Under the proposed measure, the daily pay of all minimum wage workers—regardless of employment status or industry classification, including those under contractual and sub-contractual arrangements in both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors—will be increased by P200.

The bill also contains provisions to assist small enterprises in complying with the mandated wage hike. These businesses may avail of incentives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which will issue implementing rules within 60 days after the law takes effect.

Exemptions to the wage hike include Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) under Republic Act No. 9178 and establishments employing 10 workers or fewer or those affected by natural or human-induced disasters, as defined by RA No. 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act.

HB 11376 penalizes non-compliance with fines ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 and imprisonment of two to four years. Offending employers must also pay double the unpaid wage increases and are disqualified from probation.